Chloe
Heading to Maple Lake this weekend for wedding prep. See you in a week? Let me know if you need anything.
I didn’t respond to any of them. Because I’m an idiot.
I groan, lie back on the bed and open Instagram instead. Her profile appears—obviously, because I follow a handful of people, but she’s the only one I care about.
The last post is from a week ago. The one in my jersey. Number 7. Her smile genuine and bright and everything I don’t deserve. The lighting in the photo is warm, making her freckles stand out.
The comments are mostly positive. Supportive. People who think we’re cute together.
But there’s one comment that makes my blood run cold.
Ashley Morrison.
Posted two days ago.
@AshleyMorrison: Watch out honey Candy Kane has a habit of disappearing when things get real. Ask me how I know.
#BeenThereDoneThat
#YoureTooGoodForHim
My jaw clenches so hard it hurts. I scroll through the replies. Most people are defending Chloe. Telling Ashley to move on. Calling her out for being bitter.
But there are enough supportive comments on Ashley’s post to make me sick.
@kira.K.33: For real girl, you tried to warn us
* * *
@AJOutdoors: He seems shady tbh
* * *
@L.Evergreen: Poor Chloe, she seems so sweet
Chloe doesn’t deserve any of this.
This is my mess. My past. Following Chloe into her present. She doesn’t deserve Ashley’s bitterness. Doesn’t deserve to be collateral damage in someone else’s vendetta.
What was I thinking? I should have responded to her texts. Should have told her what that kiss meant instead of running like a coward.
My phone is in my hand, and I’m scrolling to her contact before I can stop myself.
This is a bad idea. Terrible idea. It’s eleven p.m. She’s probably asleep. Or busy. Or over me.
I call anyway.
It rings. Once. Twice. Three times. Maybe she won’t answer. Maybe she’s finally moved on from my?—
“Hello?” Her voice. Slightly breathless. Like she ran to get the phone.
And just like that, I can breathe again.
“Hey,” I say. “It’s me.”
“Hey.” There’s something in her voice. Careful. Guarded. “What’s up?”
